Locksmithing, toolmaking

Locksmithing, toolmaking is a craft trade (field No. 14) covering metalworking, the manufacture and repair of locks, keys, metal structures, tools, jigs and moulds. To obtain it you must demonstrate a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act and meet the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Sections 6 to 8 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity (where applicable supplemented by a court's consent) and a clean criminal record (Section 6); at the same time, none of the obstacles to operating the trade under Section 8 must apply (e.g. bankruptcy or a court-imposed ban on activity in the field or a related field). Medical fitness is not required and liability insurance is not mandatory.

Professional qualification under Section 21 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (at least one of the variants):
1) apprenticeship in the field – secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education;
2) maturita in the field – secondary education with a maturita examination in the relevant field of education;
3) higher vocational education in the relevant field of education;
4) university education in the relevant area of study programmes and fields of study;
5) proof of recognition of professional qualification issued by a recognition authority;
6) proof of verification or recognition of attainment of a full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

Alternative professional qualification under Section 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (education in a related field + experience):
1) secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field;
2) secondary education with a maturita examination in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field;
3) higher vocational education in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field;
4) university education in a related area + 1 year of experience in the field;
5) proof of retraining + 1 year of experience in the field;
or completion of six years of experience in the field (without proof of education).

The entrepreneur need not meet the professional qualification personally – it may be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act.

Examples of activities

Manufacture, assembly and repair of metal structures, grilles, fences, gates, railings and staircases
Manufacture, repair and installation of locks and locking systems, manufacture and copying of keys
Opening of jammed and slammed-shut doors and safes (locksmith emergency service) without an impermissible interference
Manufacture and repair of cutting, forming and pressing tools, jigs and gauges
Design and manufacture of moulds for pressure die-casting of metals and injection moulding of plastics
Manufacture and assembly of steel doors, gates, windows and metal furniture
Machine machining of metals – turning, milling, drilling, grinding of individual parts
Welding and locksmith processing of metal semi-finished products and components

What the trade is and what it is for

Locksmithing, toolmaking is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.) under field No. 14. It entitles you to do business in a broad spectrum of metalworking – from hand and machine locksmith work, through the manufacture of metal structures, to demanding toolmaking, that is, the manufacture of tools, jigs, gauges and moulds.

As a craft trade it requires proof of professional qualification, because these are activities demanding in terms of technical knowledge as well as safety. The trade serves both small craftspeople (locksmith emergency service, key copying) and engineering firms focused on series production of tools and moulds.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

manufacture, assembly and repair of metal structures, grilles, gates, fences, railings, staircases and metal furniture;
manufacture, repair and installation of locks, locking systems and keys, opening of slammed-shut doors and safes (locksmith emergency service) without an impermissible interference with another's property;
machine machining of metals – turning, milling, drilling, grinding, manufacture of individual metal parts;
toolmaking – manufacture and repair of cutting, forming and pressing tools, jigs, gauges and moulds for casting metals and injection moulding of plastics.

Boundaries with neighbouring trades: The manufacture of machines and equipment as a whole falls under the trade "Manufacture of machinery and equipment". Electroplating and surface treatment of metals belong to the trade "Electroplating, enamelling". Tinsmith work and the fitting of gutters are handled by the field "Tinsmithing and bodywork repair". If you weld only as an auxiliary activity during assembly, you fit within locksmithing; standalone construction-assembly units may require a regulated trade. In case of doubt about classifying a specific activity, contact the Trade Licensing Office.

Statutory conditions for obtaining the trade

You must meet the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record (Section 6). At the same time, none of the obstacles to operating the trade under Section 8 must apply – in particular an ongoing bankruptcy or a court-imposed ban on activity in the field or a related field. The law requires neither medical fitness nor liability insurance for this trade.

You must further prove a professional qualification under Section 21, by at least one of the variants: an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field, maturita in the relevant field, higher vocational or university education in the relevant area, proof of recognition of professional qualification, or proof of a full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

If you do not have education directly in the field, you use the alternative qualification under Section 22: education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, maturita, higher vocational, university) or retraining, always supplemented by 1 year of experience in the field. Alternatively, 6 years of experience in the field is sufficient even without proof of education.

You do not have to meet the qualification in person – you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11, who provides the qualification on your behalf.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

Verify that you meet the conditions (Sections 6 to 8 and 21/22) and prepare documents proving education or experience.
Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF), by which you notify the trade.
Submit the notification at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
Pay the administrative fee and wait for registration – the Trade Licensing Office enters the trade within 5 working days of the notification.

The trade licence comes into existence on the very day of notification (once the conditions are met), not only upon registration. You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to set up a trade.

Documents and fees

Proof of professional qualification – apprenticeship certificate, maturita certificate, diploma, proof of recognition of qualification or a professional qualification, or documents of experience.
Proof of a clean criminal record – the office usually obtains the extract from the Criminal Records Register itself.
A completed URF and, in the case of a responsible representative, their declaration and consent.
Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 for the first notification of the trade, or CZK 800 for an electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz.

Frequently asked questions

Is an apprenticeship in another engineering field enough for me?

Yes, you use Section 22. You supplement education in a related field (e.g. machine mechanic, metal machinist) with 1 year of experience in the field and notify the trade.

I have no apprenticeship certificate. Can I obtain the trade?

You can. Under Section 22, 6 years of experience in the field without proof of education is sufficient, or completion of retraining supplemented by 1 year of experience.

What if I do not have the qualification, but my employee does?

Then you appoint a responsible representative under Section 11, who provides the professional qualification for your firm. You yourself meet only the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8.

How long does processing take?

When notifying a craft trade, the office enters you within 5 working days. The licence, however, comes into existence on the very day of notification, so you can in fact trade immediately once the conditions are met.

Do I need another licence to copy keys or open slammed-shut doors?

No, both activities fall directly under locksmithing. However, you must open doors and safes without an impermissible interference with another's rights and at the request of an authorised person.